Vehicular Safety Device

ABSTRACT

A device which detects a child presence in a car seat and communicates an audible and mobile-device reminder to the driver that a child occupant is in the seat is disclosed. The system utilizes internal sensors to monitor various vehicle occupancy conditions to determine when a triggering event has occurred while the car seat occupancy sensor is engaged. Once triggered, the system will immediately notify the driver that the child remains in the car seat inside the vehicle, and will also sent follow-up alerts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/332,506 filed on Oct. 24, 2016, which inturn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/246,071,filed Oct. 25, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The subject invention relates to a vehicle child presence and remindersystem based on internal sensors and data processing to determinetriggering events.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although child car seats are becoming safer every year, another problemstill exists that threatens the lives of children in vehicles. Whenfaced with common daily distractions or when performing everydayroutines, parents sometimes make unsafe decisions that can impact achild's safety. Upon arriving at a destination, a pre-occupied parentcan forget a child who may be quietly sleeping out of sight in thebackseat of a vehicle. Hyperthermia or heat related deaths are the thirdmost frequent cause of non-traffic automotive child deaths.

Consequently, a mechanism for reminding individuals of the presence of achild occupant in a vehicle is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, advantages and details appear, by way of example, in thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of an embodiment;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show details of the elements of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows additional embodiments;

FIGS. 5-7 show GUIs displayed on a mobile device; and

FIG. 8 shows an example code-flow code-module diagram of activity withinthe embodiments of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments herein comprise a system of three main parts, along withan installation procedure. FIG. 1 shows a system 100 comprising a childsensor 104, located underneath a child situated within a conventionalcar seat, a control device 108, and an optical sensor 112. The childsensor 104 communicates wirelessly with the control device 108 locatedunder the driver's seat. The optical sensor 112 detects the driver'sdoor opening and closing, is located on the side of the driver's seat.To prevent false alarms and reduce user-annoyance, a driver's seatpressure pad, face recognition sensor or other mechanism for detectingdriver presence within the vehicle may also be implemented.

These three parts are installed by anyone who can understand how Velcro™works. Mainly, a user will located the control device 108 for exampleunder the driver's seat and turn it on. The user will also located thechild sensor 104 within the existing child seat. The user will alsoattach the optical sensor 112 at the left hand side of the drivers seat,using e.g. Velcro™.

Within the embodiments disclosed herein, it is not necessary to purchasea specially-modified car seat. The embodiments proposed here are notlimited to any one type of child seat design, but can be implemented toany car seat, including an infant carrier, a convertible toddler seat, astandard child car seat, or even a booster seat. However, an embodimentexists where the child sensor 104 is pre-packaged within a child seat.

The optical sensor 112 is connected to the control device 108. Once thedriver-door is opened, if a child is still in the seat, the controllerdevice sends a first audible alert as well as an alert to a proprietarymobile app (e.g. FIGS. 5-7) located within a user's mobile device 116such as Android or iPhone (among other platforms). However, othernotification mechanisms can also be employed, so that the system 100 canwork effectively even for users who do not have any mobile device 116.

A user may ignore the first alert for several reasons, one being thatthey have not completely exited the vehicle, for example when thedriver's door happens to be open. The driver may have temporarilystepped out of the vehicle just to pump gas, to load up the trunk, etc.However, a second visual and audible alert notification is sent to themobile device 116, as well as the initial alert played through an audiospeaker within the control device 108.

FIG. 2 shows additional components of the control device 108 as well asthe optical sensor 112, which is actually part of the control device 108but is drawn separately in FIG. 1 because these two are located atdiffering places within the vehicle. From FIG. 2 it is apparent that thecontrol device 108 further comprises a rechargeable battery 204, amicrocontroller 212 interacting with updateable firmware 214, a batterycharging circuit 216 and battery monitor 217, a voltage step-up powersupply circuit 220, an audio sound module 224, a speaker 228, an audioamplifier 232, and a wireless RF module 236. Additionally, the opticalsensor 112 comprises an optical proximity detector 208, and amulti-color LED 248.

The speaker 228 can broadcast an audible tone or voice-alert. Thewireless module 236 may or may not use the Bluetooth® protocol. Anoptional blinking light is also contemplated for the system 100.

The optical proximity detector 208 detects whether the car door (driversside only) is opened or closed. The system 100 further comprises abattery-alert monitor, and employs encryption to ensure that each copyof the system 100 sold does not accidentally trigger any other copies ofthe system 100, other than the intended one.

The system 100 employs logic executable by the control device 108, whichamong other things monitors child occupancy via, for example, the childsensor pressure pad 104. More information about this can be found inFIG. 8 and the descriptions thereof

FIG. 3 shows additional detail about the child sensor pressure pad 104,including a voltage step-up power supply circuit 304, transmitter 308,processor 312, and battery monitor integrated circuit 316.

The child sensor 104 can be a pressure pad, although otherimplementations can also be used. The control device 108 continuouslycollects data from the child sensor 104 relating to child-occupancy, andthe optical sensor 112 relating to the state of the driver side door.The collected data is constantly acted upon by a code driven algorithmcontained within firmware 214 working with the microcontroller 212 thatdetermines whether a triggering event has occurred. In response todetermining a triggering event, the code driven algorithm (firmware 214)includes an alert generating function that triggers an alert component,such as the built-in loud speaker or a mobile phone app via Bluetoothcommunication, or other mechanisms as discussed below.

Details of Firmware 214

More information about the code-driven algorithms within the firmware214 can be found in FIG. 8.

Sequence of Events within Microcontroller 212

The microcontroller 212 constantly polls the internal RF receiver andwaits for data to be received from the child sensor pad 104 device. Theinitial transmitted RF data string from the child sensor device is ahandshake signal. This initial string instructs the microcontroller 212to sound an audible alert and blink a visual LED on the optical sensor112 to notify the caretaker that the two devices are synced up properly.The firmware 214 then initiates a delay loop for a specified number ofseconds to allow the caretaker to get into the vehicle so that the doortrigger alert does not initiate the first time the door is opened.

The firmware 214 continuously polls the child seat sensor RF signal tocheck whether the child occupant is still in the car seat. The firmware214 then continuously polls the optical sensor 112 to determine whetherthe driver side door is opened or closed. It also polls the batterycharge state of the main device to determine whether the rechargeablebattery is below a certain charge state. If the battery falls below theset limit, the firmware 214 instructs the red LED inside the opticalsensor 112 to blink several times.

Once the optical sensor 112 reports that the driver's door has opened,the firmware 214 instructs the microcontroller 212 to send a triggersignal to the digital voice chip to verbally alert the caregiver thatthere's a child present in the car seat. It also sends an encodedBluetooth message to a smart phone app to initiate a delay timer in theapp to alert the caregiver after a preset time period from the initialtrigger event, if the child still remains in the car seat. It alsoinstructs the visual green LED in the optical sensor 112 to light up forseveral seconds for a visual alert.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cycle then repeats indefinitely until the childis removed from the car seat, which then deactivates the child sensor104. The verbal audio alert from the control device 108 will stopsounding once the driver's door is closed, even if the child remains inthe car seat. The alert to the mobile device 116 will however continueto indefinitely alert the driver or caregiver until the child is removedfrom the car seat.

Sequence of Events within Firmware 214

The firmware 214 initiates a sequence of events after the child sensor104 is activated e.g. when a child is placed in the car seat. Thefirmware 214 blinks the built-in multicolor LED 248 to be green severaltimes to indicate that device is working properly. The firmware 214 thencontinuously polls the battery charge state of the various batterieswithin the system 100 to trigger an alert event when the battery fallsbelow a certain preset level. If the level is below the set limit, thered LED is blinked several times and the battery status is alsotransmitted to the control device 108 to notify the mobile device 116through the proprietary app, and thus to alert the caregiver that thebattery is running low and needs to be recharged soon. The firmware 214then sends an encoded serial data string through the RF transmitter tothe control device 108 to notify the microcontroller 212 that a child isstill in the child seat.

The vehicle employing the system 100 may be any type of vehicle that canaccommodate child seats and has a driver-side door. The system 100 mayalso send alerts from the vehicle's communication system, throughdigital satellite and/or cellular data, or other communicationnetworking systems, e.g., to a wireless service provider, like asubscription-based service, such as OnStar®. In addition, communicationcomponents also include localized wireless communications, e.g., signalprotocols such as RF telemetry data and Bluetooth® communications. Thesystem 100 may thus be implemented without costly system or networkinfrastructure components. In all embodiments, no hard wiring to thevehicle's electrical system is required, although embodiments exist inwhich some connections may be made to the vehicle's diagnostic port.

The proximity detector 208 (within the optical sensor 112) tracks theopening and closing status of a door in the vehicle, and communicatesthis information to control device 108. This logic can be utilized todetect the event of a driver about to leave the vehicle. Other sensorswithin the system 100 may be employed. For example, a driver seatpressure sensor (not shown) can be used for preventing unnecessaryalerts such as when the driver is clearly still within the vehicle.Also, a temperature sensor 246 (FIG. 2) can be used to collect cabintemperature data which will be communicated to the control device 108and used by the logic to determine when to generate a criticaltemperature alert (see FIG. 5). Further, facial recognition detectorscan be located in the dash and within the back-end of the front seat;first to make sure that the correct person and not an intruder isdriving in the car, and second (potentially) to verify the identity ofthe child located within the child seat.

As stated, the system 100 includes one or more alert components foroutputting an alert. The primary alert component is the digital audiosound module 224, which is a programmable audio device that's used torecord a human voice or a digitally synthesized voice. Upon a triggeringevent, as determined by the control device 108, a trigger signal is thensent to the digital audio sound module 224 to activate the audio voicealert and enunciate it through the speaker 228.

The control device 108 monitors the occupancy sensor 104, which isinstalled or disposed in a child car seat as shown in FIG. 1, but alsocan be located within a seatbelt restraint system in a vehicle, forexample, such as in a belt-clip type sensor. The child occupancy sensor104 transmits a signal to the control device 108 when it becomes engagedor activated, as well as when it is disengaged, or deactivated.

FIG. 4 shows a variety of accessory add-on devices can be added to thecontrol device 108 to potentially detect older kids in the vehicle thatnormally would not be seated on e.g. a pressure pad, as well as pets.One such device is a Doppler module 412 (see FIG. 4), a device whichcommunicates any motion sensed inside the vehicle to a microcontrollerin the control device 108. The firmware 214 can continuously poll abuilt-in gyro/accelerometer circuit 206, to determine whether thevehicle has stopped moving for a certain period of time. If stopped,then the Doppler device 412 gets polled for motion detection inside thevehicle's rear cabin to determine if a child or pet is still locatedinside the vehicle. When motion is detected, the firmware 214 sends analert event to trigger the voice or tone generator circuit to sound analert through a resonance speaker device 404, which will alert anybystanders or parents outside the vehicle that the child or pet isinside the vehicle. An alert is also sent to an app within the mobiledevice 116 to notify a nearby parent or caregiver.

Also as shown in FIG. 4, an optional accessory in the form of a sonarsensor 404 can also be added to alert the driver of a possible back-overof a bystander. This sonar backup obstacle sensor 404 communicateswirelessly with the controller device when the vehicle is placed inreverse gear. The power is activated to the sonar backup obstacledetector via, for example, the backup bulb circuit of a vehicle to whichthe sonar module is wired to. The firmware 214 continuously polls thesignal from the wireless sonar module to determine if the sonar sensor404 has turned on and whether it has detected an obstacle behind thevehicle. If an obstacle is detected, the microcontroller 212 triggers analert and generates a series of tones or a vocal alert through thespeaker in the control device 108 to notify the driver that an obstaclehas been detected.

Turning now to packaging and manufacturing processes, the variousenclosures for the elements of the system 100 can be manufactured out ofvarious materials, including extruded aluminum, ABS plastic,thermoplastic made out of polycarbonate (PC) oracrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, high impact-resistant polystyrene,injected silicone, or other materials. ABS plastic enclosures can bemolded with top and bottom sections that fit together snugly,eliminating the need for screws. If needed, the top and bottom can beglued together for permanent closure. The color and texture of theplastic enclosures can be infused during the plastic injection moldingprocess.

The rechargeable batteries utilized in the system 100 can berechargeable, including Lithium Ion, Lithium polymer, nickel metalhydride, or other types.

The manufacturing method utilized in the production of the integratedcircuit boards for the main controller and the child sensor devices canbe any of various Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing processes,including but not limited to Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) forlarge scale fabrication line production.

Alternate Embodiments

In one alternative embodiment of the system 100, the completefunctionality of the child sensor 104, including the microcontroller212, various sensors, and batteries may be fully incorporated directlyinto a child car seat.

In another alternative embodiment of the system 100, the alert signalsent from the control device 108 can trigger one of several of thevehicle's existing devices, such as a horn, vehicle lights, or vehiclealarm system. This can be accomplished through a wireless deviceconnected to the vehicle's diagnostic port and linked to the maincontroller device's Bluetooth transceiver. The main control device 108can optionally be wired directly into a vehicle's Controller AreaNetwork (CAN) bus network also. This could be used to alert anybystanders to the presence of a child left inside the vehicle. The CANbus is a vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers anddevices to communicate with each other in applications without a hostcomputer. It is a message-based protocol, designed originally formultiplex electrical wiring within automobiles, but is also used in manyother contexts.

The system 100 may be configured to monitor or perform self-diagnosticfunctions for diagnosing various conditions of the system 100, such asdetermining when the battery power inside the system 100 is running low.The alerts can be communicated to the driver through various LED lights(e.g. multi-color LED 248) on the system 100 and also to the proprietaryapp within the mobile device 116. The system 100 thus acquires andprocesses driver detection and child presence without costly system orwiring infrastructure components.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sonar sensor 404 based on sonar ping technologycan be used to detect obstacles (such as individuals or pets) in therear area of the vehicle. The sonar sensor 404 utilizes an ultrasonictransmitter transducer and an ultrasonic receiver. The sonar sensor 404is integrated into the system 100 via a wireless RF link that transmitsthe telemetry data from the ultrasonic transducers to the control device108, where the data is acted upon by the microcontroller 212 andprocessed by the firmware 214 to detect the distance to an object anddetermine whether to trigger an alert. The alert can be in the form of avoice alert, but also digital frequency tones. A visual alert can alsobe deployed. This can alert the driver to avoid any run over relatedinjuries or fatalities. The sonar sensor 404 could for example attach tothe rear vehicle bumper, either on top or below the bumper, and could bepowered, for example, through the rear back-up light supply circuit andcan be wired directly into the rear back-up lamp socket.

Connecting the sonar sensor 404 to a vehicle and to the system 100 couldbe achieved for example by professional installation, potentially usinga pre-installed wiring harness connector (not shown), since the rearbackup light cable is attached via a standard socket used within mostvehicles. This connector would come with a Y type of cable (not shown),so a technician would not even need to cut any wires to install it.

Instead, such a technician would just need to open the lamp fixtureassembly and connect the Y-type of cable to it, then connect the otherend of the cable back to the main harness. It would still staywaterproof and no wires would be coming out from the lamp assembly. Allconnections would be made below the bumper.

Additionally, another audio device has also been developed to alertbystanders outside the vehicle. This is done by utilizing a full-rangeresonance speaker 408 (also shown in FIG. 4). The device works on theprinciple of tactile bass vibrations that resonate with the object theyare attached to. The resonance speaker 408 attaches to any windowsurface of the vehicle using rubber suction cups or other attachmentmechanism and creates a glass resonance speaker by resonating with thepane of glass to act as an audio transducer.

The resonance speaker 408 works with any window or mirror glass surfaceto allow sound waves to be passed through directly to the exterior ofthe vehicle. The volume of the audio alert can be increased by adjustingthe power output of the amplifier that feeds the resonance speaker 408.Further, the resonance speaker 408 integrates into the control device108 via a direct cable wire or through a wireless Bluetooth audio signalstream.

A variety of mechanisms can be used for the optical proximity detector208. In an embodiment, the optical proximity detector 208 is an opticalchip 208 c (see FIG. 2) which combines proximity ranging and ambientlight level measurement capabilities into a single package. Unlikesimpler optical sensors that use the intensity of reflected light todetect objects, the optical chip 208 c precisely measures duration oftime for emitted pulses of infrared laser light to reach the nearestobject and be reflected back to a detector, making it essentially anoptical range sensor. This time-of-flight (TOF) measurement enables theoptical chip 208 c to accurately determine the absolute distance to atarget with 1 mm resolution, without the object's reflectanceinfluencing the measurement. The optical chip 208 c is rated to performranging measurements of up to 10 cm (4″), but can also provide readingsup to 20 cm (8″) with its default settings. Furthermore, the opticalchip 208 c can be configured to measure ranges of up to 60 cm (24″) atthe cost of reduced resolution, although successful ranging at theselonger distances will depend heavily on the target and environment. Ifadvantageous for manufacturing process or parts-availability reasons,less complex infrared optical sensors may be used instead of the opticalchip 208 c to achieve the purpose of detecting the status of the driverside door being open or closed.

In an alternate embodiment, the system 100 can employ a microwaveDoppler based sensor 412 (see FIG. 4) as an addition or a substitute tothe child sensor 104, to determine for example whether a larger,non-car-seat-age child or pet has been left inside a vehicle. TheDoppler sensor 412 employs a low energy microwave signal generator and asignal detection circuit to detect slight changes in motion based on theDoppler shift principle. The microwave signal can be in the 5 GHz or 10GHz range band. The Doppler sensor 412 communicates the detected motionto the control device 108, which then determines whether to sound analert to the caregiver based on several factors. For example, thecontrol device 108 may trigger an alert immediately, or delay an alert,as selected by the user within the settings contained within theproprietary app on the mobile device 116 (see e.g. FIG. 6). There may beinstances where an adult may intentionally wish to leave a child lockedinside a vehicle, albeit for a short time. Indeed this happens every daywithout negative consequences.

This embodiment with the Doppler sensor 412 system enhances thecapabilities of the system 100 to determine various occupant conditionsinside the vehicle and allows detection of older kids or animals thatare not restrained in a car safety seat or not situated on a pressuresensor pad. In this embodiment, the system 100 could also detect familypets stuck in a car, such as dogs and cats. Some pets like to sneak intoa car, because it feels safe. The problem occurs when they cannot letthemselves out.

Mobile Phone GUIs

FIGS. 5-7 show a screenshot example of GUIs (Graphical User Interface)to be displayed on the mobile device 116. FIG. 5 shows the potentialconfigurability of the system 100, FIG. 6 shows an example alert, andFIG. 7 shows that the system 100 continues to function and isdisplayable even through the “lock” screen typically found within amobile device 116.

The GUIs could also include, for example, an option on the main screento pause the alert for stopping to fill up gas, e.g. 5 minutes. Further,the GUIs could also include, within the section labeled “settings” (FIG.6), an option to take a photo of a child and make it a profile photo, anoption to enter the child's name, an option to enter a secondaryemergency contact for text alerts, an option to enter an emergencyservice contact in case the secondary contact does not answer.

Also, one or more of the GUIs could include an option to select whetherthe audio alert goes to the device speaker, or the resonance speaker onthe glass of the vehicle, or both.

The proprietary app GUI (e.g. FIG. 5) may also include an option for adriver to poll the microwave Doppler sensor 412 inside the vehicle tosee if there is anyone inside.

Another configuration option exists to extend the delay time, from 1minute to e.g. 5 minutes. The volume can also be changed for the secondalert since it sounds on the mobile device 116, and not necessarily onthe control device 108.

A third alert option also exists, as long as it's possible to use thesame type of text alert as the second alert option (in other words, aslong as the mobile device 116 supports this feature). There is no limiton how many alert recipients the system 100 can send to because thisrequires only a minor setting within the software running on theproprietary app running on the mobile device 216. A user could have anoption of adding up to, for example 10 alert recipients.

The proprietary app on the mobile device 116 can also be utilized as alocator beacon. By using the built-in GPS location feature found in mostmodern day mobile devices 116, the proprietary app can alert a secondarycare provider or emergency services with GPS coordinates of the vehiclelocation after the child alert device gets triggered. The coordinateinformation can be sent through a text message or directly through appto app push notifications. This useful feature can allow loved ones oremergency services to quickly locate the vehicle where the child islocated, in case the primary care provider does not respond to thedevice alerts. The feature can also be integrated with existingemergency location services such as the OnStar service.

Additional Embodiments

A: Integration into Child Car Seats

The system 100 can be easily integrated into production child car seats.The electronic components within the child sensor 104 can be readilyinstalled into a production child safety seat via a molded compartmentwithin the seat. For example, a pressure sensor pad can be integratedinto the seat, just below the padding where the child would sit. Themulti-color status LED 248 could, for example, protrude through theplastic molding of the seat to provide a visual indication of devicefunctions to the parent or caregiver. Such a seat sensor would stillcommunicate with the control device 108 via wireless communication. Inthis embodiment, the control device 108 will still reside elsewhereinside the vehicle as in the stand-alone version, and will continue topoll the integrated child seat sensor and manage the control functionsassociated with all sensor inputs, including the optical (door) sensor112. The control device 108 will still handle all alert notifications,including the alert signals sent to the mobile device 116.

B: Integration into Automotive Production Vehicles

The system 100 technology can also be integrated into automotiveproduction vehicles. The control device 108 and the child sensor 104 canbe configured to communicate with the automotive Controller Area Network(CAN) bus standard, as an electronic control unit (ECU), through astandard node or gateway node to connect as an independent subsystem.The system 100 can also integrate into a vehicle as standalone firmwarecode to an existing electronic control unit (ECU) already built into avehicle. As stated, the CAN bus is a vehicle bus standard designed toallow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other inapplications without a host computer. It is a message-based protocol,designed originally for multiplex electrical wiring within automobiles,but is also used in many other contexts.

The production vehicle's existing sensors can be utilized by the system100 to poll information from various sensors inside the vehicle tocollect data and act upon it. As an example, either in conjunction withor in replacement for the optical sensor 112, the driver's side doorplunger switch can be polled by the system 100 to determine when thedriver is about to exit the vehicle. The built-in seat pressure sensorsthat are polled for airbag deployment purposes can also be utilized bythe system 100 to determine whether an occupant resides in an automotiveseat. Seatbelt sensors also can be polled through the CAN bus to allowdetection of certain occupant situations. The vehicle's various alertdevices can also be triggered by the system 100 through the CAN bus toalert the driver or caregiver of the presence of a child in theautomobile, such as the vehicle's alarm or horn system. Automotivelights and dash panel alerts can also be activated to broadcast an alertof a child in a car seat. The vehicle's seatbelt sensor system can allowfor the integration of a pressure sensor from the child's car seat tolink into the CAM bus also.

C: Assault-Prevention

The Doppler motion detection sensor 412 may also be utilized in thesystem 100 as a security warning notifier by allowing the driver toactivate it remotely through the Smart phone app and get a response backto check whether an unauthorized person is hiding inside the vehicle.

Disclaimers\Non-Limitations

Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forperforming the described method. The method steps and/or actions can beinterchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific orderof steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment,the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions can be modified.

In the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimesgrouped together in a single embodiment, Figure, or description thereoffor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intentionthat any claim in this or any application claiming priority to thisapplication require more features than those expressly recited in thatclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie ina combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoingdisclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this DetailedDescription are hereby expressly incorporated into this DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independentclaims with their dependent claims.

While specific embodiments and applications of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise configuration and componentsdisclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations whichwill be apparent to those skilled in the art are made in thearrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of thepresent invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be theinvention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in thespecific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequentcorrection. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for termscontained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as usedin the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature,advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim shouldlimit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawingsare, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child presence and alert system integrated intoa child car seat, comprising: a child occupancy sensor located within amolded compartment within the seat body just below the padding where thechild would sit; a stand-alone, rechargeable battery powered controldevice, incorporating a microcontroller and updatable firmware; anoptical sensor, which is also in communication with the control device,for determining whether a driver's door is open or closed; and a statusLED protruding through a plastic molding of the seat and providing avisual indication of system functions, wherein the system functionscomprise at least battery levels, driver-door-position status,communication-status of a driver's mobile device, and seat-occupiedseat-not-occupied status, thereby enabling a visual check that thesystem is properly functioning.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: the occupancy sensor being in communication with the controldevice via wireless communication.
 3. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: the control device being located not within the body of thechild seat but instead being located elsewhere within the vehicle;wherein the control device continuously polls the integrated child seatsensor for occupant presence and manage the control functions associatedwith all sensor inputs, including the optical sensor.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: the control device being responsible forall alert notifications, including the alert signals sent to the mobiledevice.